Using wool for a rag quilt

[lapeoples]

Has anyone used wool - like for suits- in a rag quilt? Would it work, would you wash it first to get the shrinkage done before cutting, do you think it would crinkle like flannel?
I helped a friend clean out after his wife's death and got bags of woolens, flannel, cottons and some mixed stuff. I'm using the flannel to make him a quilt but was wondering what to do with the woolens.

[K. McEuen]

Re: Using wool for a rag quilt

I'm not sure that wool will rag. My grandmother used to make braided rugs out of old wool clothing, don't think she ever used any in her quilting.

[snowbird]

Re: Using wool for a rag quilt

Typically washing wool felts it (a combination of water/heat) and it will not fray. I cannot recall the % of shrinkage when wool is washed (thinking 10-20%). Felted wool is wonderful for applique work and rug hooking. Also, Maggie Bonanomi uses wool for her quilts but have not seen any made into rag quilt. Personally, I'd shy away from making a rag quilt with the fiber.

[Snip Snip]

Re: Using wool for a rag quilt

My FIL made heavy quilts out of men's suits. They were just squares, with a flannel backing, not rag quilts. Back in the day, it got cold in the house at night, and if you were under one of those, you were pretty cozy. And couldn't move much, lol.